It was posted in the DT 5000 thread that Sharp is leaving the home market, does that include the xvz-20000?

Love to find one of those at close out prices, I remember what they did with the 12000 recently.
The 20000 is loud but has such a great image if the price was right it be a easy choice...

Is this true?

Anyone?

Is this just a rumor or there is any truth to this?

This was discussed several months ago RE the 20000...do some searching around this forum and you might find more...I didn't follow it much, but I do know it was mentioned and discussed.

Sharp is not going anywhere. People who start these rumors are troublemakers.:mad:

Well, AVS's Alan Gouger talks about it here...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=904320&highlight=CEDIA

I wonder if he was ever able to confirm this rumor.

The XV-Z21000 is on closeout in the UK at an amazing price.

--Dan

This could mean the XV-Z20000 will be available here in the US in 4K range very soon...

http://www.projectorcentral.com/Sharp_PG_Series-PG-F320W.htm

For people who like to watch with ambient light, it might be great. Contrast ratios don't mean anything unless the room is totally dark. 3000 lumens for 2 grand sounds like a good deal, but only 800 by 1280. 3000 lumens for $2,000. That comes to 66 cents per lumen. :)

----also---

SHARP INTRODUCES FIRST DLP® WIDE XGA BRILLIANTCOLOR™ PROFESSIONAL DLP PROJECTOR

ANAHEIM, CA, June 19, 2007 -- For a true 16:9 widescreen presentation in corporate and education markets, Sharp introduces its first high brightness, DLP BrilliantColor projector with full 720p Wide XGA (W-XGA) resolution (1280 x 800). The PG-F320W DLP projector provides enhanced colors and enriched images, utilizing BrilliantColor with multi-color processing. The new projector also features built-in DVI-I/HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) for a secure virtually noise-free digital connection.

“Adding to our new DLP BrilliantColor projector line, this W-XGA model is our first widescreen offering for full 720p content, so users have more capability for presentations, including video and other sources,” said Dan Wynne, senior director of marketing, Professional Display Division, Sharp Information and Imaging Company of America. “This model will meet the needs of business professionals that rely on precise and undistorted image reproduction for captivating presentations.”

RS-232C connectivity allows IT support departments to remotely check projector lamp life or provide operation support, and a built-in network connection with a RJ-45 LAN Connector enables remote control and access by a Web browser for diagnostics and automatic e-mail of product status. With W-XGA native resolution, 3000 Lumens brightness and 2000:1 contrast ratio for high-image quality, this projector is ideal for detailed, intricate presentations.

BrilliantColor and Sophisticated Image Quality
The new DLP PG-F320W projector features high brightness of 3000 ANSI Lumens for a clear picture in virtually any lighting condition. For superior color accuracy, the projector uses DLP BrilliantColor technology that utilize up to six color processing for higher color brightness and truer, more vibrant colors. BrilliantColor can enable up to a fifty percent increase in mid tones and expands the color palette beyond red/green/blue to include yellow, white, magenta and cyan for more realistic and lifelike color reproduction.

“As the trend increases for wide resolution technology in the business environment, DLP’s newest W-XGA chip enables Sharp to be DLP’s first manufacturer to deliver wide resolution projectors to the market,” said Lars Yoder, vice president and business manager, DLP Front Projection Business Unit at Texas Instruments. “Combining DLP’s latest innovations in BrilliantColor technology and W-XGA resolution in this new Sharp business projector will provide their customers with great color advances and superior reliability.”

Easy to Use and Portable
The projector has advanced features for easy use in virtually any business or education application. The on-screen guide and “help” function ensures simple setup and operation. An advanced picture mode pre-sets the projector to recall preferred settings for multiple users automatically. A wireless remote includes full wireless mouse control when a USB cable is connected between the projector and a PC or when used with the optional AN-MR2 Remote IR Receiver. The remote also includes a built-in spot light function and on-screen pointer to help during presentations.

The projector weighs less than nine pounds and can be ceiling-mounted (for permanent installations) or operated from a table-top or AV cart. For portable use, it can be moved easily from classroom to lecture hall or boardroom to home office.

The projector also adds UXGA (1600 x 1200) compatibility as well as HDTV/DTV compatibility for use with current and next-generation video technologies as well as extensive connectivity. Inputs are provided for a DVI-I analog/digital source with HDCP compliance, two RGB or component sources, S-video, composite video and stereo audio. Outputs include stereo variable audio line-out (“VAO”) and RGB monitor loop-through.

Low Total Cost of Ownership
This projector offers an advanced feature set at an affordable price point. A low power “eco” mode extends the projector’s lamp life up to approximately 3000 hours and reduces fan noise (30dB) for quiet, economical operation. The projector also offers theft prevention measures, including “key code activation” to help prevent unauthorized operation and the availability of an ultra-heavy-duty security cable kit for use with Sharp ceiling-mounting systems.

The PG-F320W is backed by a two-year parts and labor limited warranty including two years of Sharp industry-leading 24-hour turnaround “ER” Express Repair support. The warranty on the user-replaceable projection lamp is 90 days.
---
IB

Well, are you providing this as proof of Sharp exiting the HT high end market?

Not from this it looks like CES Sharp may make a come back-

"Surprisingly, there were no new [Sharp] projectors announced, though they did hint at two new 1080p models for CES. One was presumably a replacement for the XV-Z20000 and the other a lower cost model."

I really hope not.

I would love to see a Sharp projector using its dual iris light path and the fancy new variable light lamp systems. That projector could be the one to beat.

Considering that nobody has managed to match or beat the dlp on/off CR of the 20k a year after launch, I would very much like to see another Sharp.
Especially if they put it in a newly designed case and upped the colour wheel speed.

Sounds like the rumours are a classic case of deja vu all over again. I recall that before the 20K was introduced in the fall of 06 there was speculation and rumours by Alan Gouger and others that Sharp was leaving the HT segment.

I believe some of this speculation may be fueled by the fact that Sharp's product release intervals have been between 18 to 24 months. Where many of the other PJ companies appear to base their new product introduction on the more traditional 12 month cycle.

BTW, I did read another rumour from a forum member that Sharp would be releasing a new HT model with 2000 lumens and 15,000 to 1 contrast ratio in Q4 08.

The business issue is this...

Sony can recoup sunk R&D costs in front projection by using the resultant technology in their popular rear projection line.

Sharp's bread and butter is Aquos LCD flat panel line. Unless they can distribute the high contract/scaling technology cost over to the business projector market, without the high margins, it will be difficult for them to stay in the high end HT market.

Sony and Panasonic are volume and market share players so their business model and objectives don't necessarily map to niche/ boutique DLP brands like Sharp. Leveraging existing technology and platforms is not as critical when we are talking about premium priced products with relatively small volumes. I am sure that if wanted to directly compete with Sony and Panasonic they could ramp up in a relatively short period of time and come out with a LCD based PJ similar to what BenQ has done with their 500 model.

Sharp exiting the HT market started over seas. It was mention by several HT authorities the market was not large enough for them and Sharp was no longer going to pursue it. I have no idea whether that materialized. People in the know over seas in a panic shared this info with people in the know state side which started the speculation we would be next.
Id hate to see them exit the market. They make one hell of a machine for a great value. Add a faster color wheel and watch out:)

Now that is interesting... I also hear that none of the current HT models on Sharp's website are in stock with US distributors. Someone has been calling around to get a Z20000, Z3100, and Z12000MKII and none of that is in stock with any of the major distributors.

And I saw amazon selling DT-510 directly... that is odd too.

I also heard from a good "source" they were leaving the home theater PJ market. Hope it ain't so. :eek:

Did anyone hear anything about this at CES?